How to grow Microgreens

Microgreens are 'baby plants', grown to only 1–3 inches tall when harvested.  This can take anywhere from 1-3 weeks depending on the type of seed.  You can have a year-round growing of microgreens; they can be grown in a garden, balcony or on a kitchen counter or covered patio table (weather permitting)

Beginners often start by growing 1-2 types of seeds such as Chia, Broccoli, Mustard, Fennel, Fenugreek, Flax, carrot, Cauliflower, Radish, Amaranth, Lettuce, Basil, Rosemary, Sage, or Kale. These are among the easiest to grow varieties of microgreens if you are just getting started.

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Here’s what you’ll need to grow Microgreens

• Pre-Soaked Seeds (4-6 hrs soaking)- Mustard, Chia, Celery, Kale, Spinach, Basil, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower to start with (Larger seeds like chickpeas to be soaked for over 12-15 hrs)
• Seedling Trays (shallow container) recycled plastic trays or short pots can be used to contain some sort of produce you bought. These necessarily don’t need to have holes in the bottom, as long as you don’t overwater.
• Tray Covers- can be any cover or paper towel
• Growing Medium-One of the secrets to microgreens success is using the right potting mix. Perfect potting mix contains coco peat (60%), Perilite (20%) and vermiculite in a ratio of (20%). You can also use grow medium that can be compost, a soil mix or 50-50 blend of Perilite and Vermiculite. You can also grow microgreens hydroponically or on coconut coir, but it does not provide a lot of nutrition.
• Spray Water Bottle – for watering microgreens

How to grow your Microgreens

• Presoak Seeds for –soak seeds few hours to overnight. After presoaking is complete, rinse and drain the seeds in a colander or strainer
• Fill seed tray with Grow Medium- keep the soil loose, but ensure it is smooth and even by leveling with a piece of cardboard or your hand Pat the soil well and lightly compress and tamp the soil to avoid any ridges.
• Sow seeds of your choice- scatter seeds about one-eighth to a quarter inch apart. Ensure to cover your entire tray and sprinkle the seeds evenly. Avoid any large pockets and clumps of seeds. Press the seeds lightly into the soil mix without pressing them under the soil mix. Use back of a spoon to tap the soil. This will help the seeds to set roots. 
• Water Spray –mist your seeds to keep moist until the surface gets wet
• Cover the seeds- with a paper towel or newspaper to keep them covered and moist after watering. For small seeds, use the paper towel by gently placing towel over the entire surface. 
• Cover Tray- cover with a layer of paper towels, should be kept moist and can be gently removed in just a few days
• Location with indirect sunlight- in a warm spot like your kitchen windowsill, balcony or courtyard under a shed; ensure it is moist enough; after the seeds have started to germinate (will take 4-8 days) and grow under the cover, remove the cover and move the container the light; Continue to keep the growing sprouts moist.

Harvest and Eat! - You can harvest your microgreens between 10- 20 days to eat them (2-4 inch tall). Use clean, sharp kitchen scissors to harvest your microgreens just above the soil line. After harvesting, your greens will keep for 7-10 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Microgreens can be eaten raw, added to salads, drinks, smoothies, juices, soups, flour or any other stir fry.  

Once you harvest the microgreens, compost the soil and roots as they will not regrow. To make a new batch, wash the jar, use clean seedling mix, seeds, and start again.

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FAQ’s

1. What kind of container can I use?

You can reuse a plastic tray, plastic take-out containers, any plastic container or a glass container (any mid-sized, shallow container)

2. What are various ways of growing?

• Soil- Regular crumbly soil and compost (in 50-50 proportion)
• Soilless- vermiculite and perlite (in 50-50 proportion)
• Hydroponic- grown in water

3. What seeds can I use?

Chia, Broccoli, Mustard, Fenugreek, Flax, Cauliflower, Kale, Radish, Lettuce

4. How often should I water them?

Spray water once a day to keep the soil moist not soggy. Watch them grow and change color

5. Where can I keep the container?

It is good to place the container in a warm, dark place to incubate the seeds while they germinate. Post they germinate move the container into a space that has light (covered balcony is perfect for this, windowsill, backyard, Kitchen counter top or your study table near the window) Bottom line once germinated, find a sunny windowsill or any other space that has goof amount of light

6. Should I cover the container

Though it is not a mandatory to cover, you may cover the container with a tissue/newspaper or a plastic lid. In early germination, microgreens seeds don’t need any light. Keep the container in a warm place (between 72-75 degrees). This maintains humidity, moisture, and consistent temperature

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7. When can I harvest?

Most microgreens will be ready for harvest in 10 to 14 days. Cut the shoots with scissors in clusters just above the soil line. Rinse in cold water and eat

8. Do microgreens regrow after harvest?

No, most microgreens do not regrow however some types will regrow and can be cut several times. Afterwards the container’s contents can be added to a compost heap

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For any further queries please feel free to send us an email at oes@organo.co.in, we will be happy to respond you in 24 hours